DALLAS, TX, JANUARY 8, 2019 – The Dallas Opera is proud to announce that the company’s semi-staged production of Manon Lescaut, the first production in a two-part Puccini mini-festival in March, will incorporate images from the collection of the Dallas Museum of Art into the production design, in a special collaboration between the two prominent arts organizations.

Manon Lescaut, which opens on Friday, March 1, 2019, for the first of four mainstage performances in the Margot & Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center, stars an internationally-acclaimed cast conducted by The Mrs. Eugene McDermott Music Director Emmanuel Villaume.

Director Edward Berkeley, staging the production in his company debut, has selected several charming images of mid-eighteenth-century Aubusson tapestries from the DMA’s Decorative Arts and Design collection. These works made of wool are characterized by a three-dimensional look developed by French artists over a period of hundreds of years and achieved during the weaving process.

The DMA tapestries depict genteel scenes of aristocratic courtship and leisure pursuits in peaceful pastoral settings, framed by a profusion of fruit-laden vines, flowers and birds.

These tapestries were a gift of Mr. and Mrs. Algur H. Meadows and the Meadows Foundation, Incorporated in 1968.

“Often times, creativity blooms from inspiration found afar but, sometimes, that same inspiration can be found close to home,” notes Ian Derrer, The Kern Wildenthal General Director and CEO.

“We are very fortunate in Dallas to have world-class art available at our fingertips and, in our case, right down the block. Any opportunity to remind our community of the inherent complement between the visual and performing arts is an opportunity to be seized. Our ongoing partnership with the Dallas Museum of Art has found a powerful new bloom in this meeting of art and music onstage at the Winspear.”

Dallas Opera patrons will also enjoy a 1776 French work of art featuring the Duke of Penthièvre with Benjamin Franklin next to his chateau at Rambouillet.

Created with gouache (a more-opaque form of watercolor) and white chalk on paper, the work was made by Louis-Nicolas van Blarenberghe and his son, Henri-Joseph, who both lived and worked at the Palace at Versailles. The father-and-son team often collaborated on the same projects. This panoramic view in subtle pastel hues was acquired by the Museum in 2010.

“The Dallas Museum of Art is always seeking opportunities to expand our partnerships within the Dallas Arts District in ways that benefit the community,” said the DMA’s Eugene McDermott Director Dr. Agustín Arteaga. “We are excited to collaborate with the Dallas Opera to offer a new way for the public to experience the DMA’s collection, as part of the Opera’s dynamic program.”

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Manon Lescaut, composed by Giacomo Puccini in 1892, premiered early the following year in Turin, Italy. The opera was re-introduced in 1894 at Milan’s La Scala (newly revised) and propelled Puccini to the front ranks of his contemporaries. Set in France and America in the latter half of the 18th century, the opera traces the amorous twists-and- turns of its title character, who loses love only to find it again before being separated forever on a distant, foreign shore.

The Dallas Opera’s semi-staged production will star soprano Kristin Lewis making her TDO debut in the title role. While performing Aida at Vienna State Opera, Larry Lash of Musical America Worldwide described her as “a beautiful woman with a luminous stage presence and a luscious, dark voice; she scored a triumph with her elegant, sensitive phrasing highlighted by ethereal pianissimos, held, seemly, forever.”

“To visualize Manon Lescaut as she journeys from town (Amiens) to city (Paris) to port (LeHavre) to wilderness (Louisiana!),” explains Director Edward Berkeley, “I looked for evocative images that, with one stroke, would transport audiences.

“The images from the DMA seemed ideal for Amiens with the innocent pastel depiction of the town square and for Paris, where the Aubusson tapestries have the intricacy of Manon’s new-found life. The uniqueness of the Aubusson hangings make Manon’s plunge into elegance feel like a drowning in luxury. As the journey of Manon turns to grimmer realities, I chose natural images of a black-and-white port and the Beckett-esque desert just outside of New Orleans.”

Additional performances of The Dallas Opera’s semi-staged concert production of Manon Lescaut will take place on Sunday, March 3 (2:00 p.m. matinee), with additional evening performances on March 6 and 9, 2019.

Single tickets start at just $19 and may be purchased online at dallasopera.org or by contacting the friendly and experienced professionals in The Dallas Opera Ticket Office: 214.443.1000.

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The second half of TDO’s Puccini mini-fest will be a fully-staged production of La bohème, performed on a set never before seen in Dallas. It opens Friday, March 15, 2019 for the first of six performances, ending on Sunday, March 31st.

The superb international cast includes French tenor Jean-François Borras in his house debut as the romantic poet, Rodolfo; South African soprano Pumeza Matshikiza in her American debut as the shy seamstress, Mimi; baritone Anthony Clark Evans as the fiery Marcello; soprano Sara Gartland as the irrepressible Musetta; baritone Will Liverman in his TDO debut as Schaunard; bass Nicolas Brownlee as Colline and the one-and-only Samuel Ramey in the dual roles of Benoit and Alcindoro.

Conducted by Maestro Giuliano Carella and staged by director Tomer Zvulun in a fitting finale to a month of performances crafted by one of the greatest names in opera.

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ABOUT THE DALLAS OPERA

Founded in 1957, The Dallas Opera is an internationally-recognized innovator dedicated to the overall advancement of the operatic art form and the support of established and emerging artists, as well as the education and development of new opera audiences in North Texas—and beyond. These goals are achieved by commissioning and producing world-class opera; through ground-breaking institutes, national competitions and topical programs; and by presenting opera in both traditional and non-traditional formats and venues in order to attract patrons of every age, background, educational level, and ethnicity—while engaging with more than 87,000 people in our community each year. TDO is equally committed to the task of responsible stewardship and is managed with efficiency and accountability, to the highest possible standards.

ABOUT THE DALLAS MUSEUM OF ART

Established in 1903, the Dallas Museum of Art (DMA) is among the 10 largest art museums in the country and is distinguished by its commitment to research, innovation, and public engagement. At the heart of the Museum and its programs is its global collection, which encompasses more than 24,000 works and spans 5,000 years of history, representing a full range of world cultures. Located in the nation’s largest arts district, the Museum acts as a catalyst for community creativity, engaging people of all ages and backgrounds with a diverse spectrum of programming, from exhibitions and lectures to concerts, literary events, and dramatic and dance presentations. Since the Museum’s return to free general admission in 2013, the DMA has welcomed more than 4 million visitors. For more information, visit DMA.org.

The Dallas Museum of Art is supported, in part, by the generosity of DMA Members and donors, the citizens of Dallas through the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs, and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

The Dallas Opera is supported, in part, by funds from: Elsa von Seggern Foundation, Texas Instruments Foundation, the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs;the Texas Commission on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). American Airlines is the official airline of The Dallas Opera. Lexus is the official vehicle of The Dallas Opera.

Advertising support from The Dallas Morning News.

The Dallas Opera Family Performances are generously supported by

Texas Instruments, Lockheed Martin, and

The Betty and Steve Suellentrop Educational Outreach Fund

TDO Family Performances are a part of the

Perot Foundation Education and Community Outreach Programs

TICKET INFORMATION FOR THE 2018-2019 DALLAS OPERA SEASON

All performances are in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center unless otherwise indicated. Flex Subscriptions are on sale now; single Tickets range from $19 to $289 (excluding boxes). Family performance tickets are just $5. For more information or to make your purchase, contact The Dallas Opera Ticket Office at 214.443.1000 or visit us online, 24/7, at www.dallasopera.org.

THE DALLAS OPERA 2018-2019 MAINSTAGE SEASON: SPRING

The Dallas Opera celebrates its 62ndInternational Season in the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District. Evening performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. unless otherwise stated. English translations will be projected above the stage at every performance and assistance is available for the hearing impaired. With the exception of FIRST NIGHT, TheJoy and Ronald Mankoff Pre-Opera Talk will begin one hour prior to curtain, at most performances.

MANON LESCAUT by Giacomo Puccini

Semi-Staged Concert, March 1, 3 (m), 6, 9, 2019

Featuring images of select art works from the collections of The Dallas Museum of Art!

The woman who has everything discovers too late that she has nothing – without true love!